Hand Made Items

Astley Green has its own resident Blacksmith on site. The skills of yesteryear are perhaps not now being used to keep the wheels of the pit turning and the wagons on the track but his work can be seen all around the country.

Darren Block has started to make reproduction coal wagons which can be used as ornamental planters in the garden, or perhaps your home could use a one of a kind coffee table sitting proudly in your lounge for all your visitors to admire. What started out as an attempt to re-create one of the coal wagons from the 1880’s which we have on display at the museum, has lead to him supplying Wetherspoons the pub chain, with coal truck tables for a number of their pubs. Darren’s work can be seen in their pubs up and down the country. Each piece can take weeks to produce and uses only the finest materials. Supply is strictly limited and don’t expect to get one off the shelf but these can be ordered directly from astleyblacksmith@gmail.com

Perhaps you also have an idea for a one of a kind piece which you would like to commission.